Ribble Valley's Good Foxy win Reidy's Talent Contest

RIBBLE Valley outfit Good Foxy have been crowned winners of the Lancashire Telegraph-backed Reidy’s Talent Contest.

The Seventies-influenced rock band who only got together 10 months ago were left ‘shocked and delighted’ after beating off nine other acts in the live final at King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

The band - singer and guitarist George Banks, 18, drummer Callum Sykora, 18, bassist Freddie Bruhin-Price, 19, and guitarist Henry Crabtree, 18 - won £1,000 in vouchers to spend at Reidy’s Home of Music in Blackburn, a recording session at the Grand in Clitheroe, a video produced by Blackburn College and a slot on the main stage at this year’s Darwen L:ive Festival.

“We really didn’t expect that,” said Freddy after the result was announced. “This means so much to us all, it’s fantastic.”

“”I cut my finger open during the first song,” said George, “but it’s the final, you just carry on don’t you? We are so grateful have been given the chance to play in the final but to win it is amazing.”

Over 90 artists auditioned for a place in four heats from which the 10 finalists were chosen and on Thursday night all the artists and bands performed three songs.

A panel of independent judges including Lancashire Telegraph features editor John Anson faced the difficult task of selecting a winner.

John said: “The diversity and quality of all the finalists made our job extremely difficult and it was a very tough decision just to select one winner.”

Paul Nuttall, MD of Reidy’s, said: “It has been a fantastic competition which just demonstrates how much talent there is in East Lancashire. In only its second year the competition has established itself as a major event for musicians.”

After all the finalists had performed, last year’s winners The Remedy played a short set.

“Winning the competition last year was so important to us,” said Hannah Spurgeon from the duo. “The quality of acts this year has been tremendous and Good Foxy were worthy winners.”

Contest organiser Jamie George said: “All the finalists were brilliant. We wanted to show that given the opportunities to play, there are many artists out there of real quality.

“I would urge people to support all the bands and artists who have entered the competition and go and see them when they can.”